Jean-Pierre de Caussade’s Abandonment to Divine Providence is a spiritual classic that offers timeless insights into the essence of Christian spirituality. Written for the Sisters of the Visitation in Nancy, France, between 1733 and 1740, the work serves as a guide to achieving true holiness and inner peace by embracing what Caussade calls the “sacrament of the present moment.”
What is the Sacrament of the Present Moment?
The “sacrament of the present moment” is the concept that every moment of our lives can be sacramental, that is, an experience of divine grace and encounter with the living God, whose divine providence encompasses every single thing that happens to us. Caussade writes, “The divine action, although only visible to the eye of faith, is everywhere, and always present” (I.2.1).
Why Does the Sacrament of the Present Moment Matter?
Caussade emphasizes that embracing the present moment as a sacrament is crucial because it aligns us with God’s will, which is the true path to sanctity. By living fully in the present, we avoid the anxieties of the future and the regrets of the past, finding peace in the trust that God’s plan is unfolding perfectly in our lives. Caussade passionately declares, “O my God! how much I long to be the missionary of your holy will, and to teach all men that there is nothing more easy, more attainable, more within reach, and in the power of everyone, than sanctity.” This approach to life leads to a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment and inner peace.
How to receive the Sacrament of the Present Moment
Caussade explains that we can receive this sacrament in through “two kinds of duty; the active accomplishment of the divine will, and the passive acceptance of all that this will pleases to send” (II.2.3).
First, there is “the active accomplishment of the divine will” (II.2.3). Caussade also calls this the “duty of the present moment” (II.2.6), that is, the fulfillment of our tasks, chores, anything that encompasses our daily activities in ordinary life, like driving to work, going for a walk with a family member, waking up to our alarm, worshipping at Mass, etc. Caussade writes: “In reality sanctity can be reduced to one single practice, fidelity to the duties appointed by God” (I.1.3)
Second, there is “the passive acceptance of all that this will pleases to send” (II.2.3). Caussade also calls this “abandonment to divine providence,” that is, the loving reception of whatever God pleases to send us, like traffic when we drive to work, bad weather when we go for a walk, waking up sick, or the opposite of all of these things!
Examples
1st: The Blessed Virgin Mary: Mary’s Annunciation and Visitation are perfect examples of how we can receive the sacrament of the present moment. Her “fiat” and the Annunciation was true abandonment to divine providence, a perfect reception of all that God pleased to give her… which was Himself (wow!). Then, her Visitation to Elizabeth was a perfect cooperation with the duty of the present moment, that is, making haste to visit Elizabeth for counsel, friendship, and support.
2nd: St. John the Beloved: St. John’s recognition of the risen Lord and subsequent choice eat breakfast with the others are also great examples how we can receive the sacrament of the present moment. Caussade writes, “If we could lift the veil, and if we were attentive and watchful, God would continually reveal himself to us, and we should see his divine action in everything that happened to us, and rejoice in it. At each successive occurrence, we should exclaim: ‘It is the Lord,’ and we should accept every fresh circumstance as a gift of God” (I.2.1). Then, St. John’s cooperation with Jesus’ directions to eat breakfast shows the simple “duty of the present moment.”
Conclusion and Practical Advice
Abandonment to Divine Providence offers a clear and practical path to holiness today. By living fully in the present moment to faithfully receive everything that God gives us with St. John’s “It is the Lord!” or Mary’s “Fiat!”, every single moment of our lives can be sacramental. The more we recognize the grace of the present moment, the more we will want to abandon ourselves completely to divine providence.
For practical advice, try using these two sayings throughout the day, St. John’s “It is the Lord!” or Mary’s “Fiat!” The more we do, the more we will recognize that God Himself is personally giving us whatever is happening and inviting us to respond with complete trust and loving surrender.
Feel free to write below in the comments one thing you like about this book 🙂
Prodigal Catholic 
Leave a comment